Duel Over Gun Safety in Texas Capitol

[sonias]

Wall Street Journal 2/8/10
Duel Over Gun Safety in Texas Capitol

Lawmakers in firearm-friendly Texas are embroiled in a debate over how to make the state Capitol safer: get rid of guns or encourage even more.

The discussion comes after a man last month fired several shots on the steps of the towering Capitol in Austin. State troopers tackled him and no one was wounded, but the incident spotlighted a predicament for lawmakers in a state where carrying handguns is not only legal but largely cherished.

Lawmakers, some of whom regularly show up armed to the job, have to sort through an array of safety options. They range from prohibiting guns in the Capitol, making everyone who steps into the building go through a metal detector, to exempting those who have a license to carry a concealed weapon. Or lawmakers could stick with current safety procedures, which permit unfettered access to all areas of the Capitol when the legislature isn't in session, effectively allowing access to people carrying guns.

(snip)
The Texas Capitol, a pinkish-granite domed behemoth in downtown Austin, houses the offices of state legislators and the chambers where they make laws.When construction of the Capitol was finished in 1888, those who entered were subject to a law dating from the turbulent post Civil-War era that banned from practically all pubic establishments an assortment of weapons, including guns, sword-canes, spears, brass-knuckles, bowieknives "or any other kind of a knife manufactured and sold for the purpose of offense and defense."

But in 1995, then-Gov. George W. Bush signed a bill that allowed anyone who was cleared by a background check and took a course, among other requirements, to carry a concealed weapon in a variety of places, including the Capitol. More recently however, a rule was put in place that requires visitors who want to witness lawmakers in action from the galleries to go through a metal detector.

:popcorn:

Sonia

[sonias]

1. Ben Sargent toon

By the way The Texas Observer has just launched their new website. Go over and take a look. Register on their site and play a bit!
http://www.texasobserver.org/

:kick:

Sonia

[hobbit709]

2. From Lone Star Planet by H Beam Piper

"Please the court," he began, "the defendant, Wilbur Whately, is here charged with political
irresponsibility and excessive atrocity in exercising his constitutional right of criticism of a practicing politician.
"The specifications are, as follows: That, on the afternoon of May Seventh, Anno Domini 2193, the defendant here present did arm himself with a machete, said machete not being one of his normal and accustomed weapons, and did loiter in wait on the front steps of the Legislative Assembly Building in the city of New Austin, Continent of Sam Houston, and did approach the decedent, addressing him in abusive, obscene, and indecent language, and did set upon and attack him with the machete aforesaid, causing the said decedent, S. Austin Maverick, to die."

"Criticism of a practicing politician"-I always liked that one. The rule on the planet was that whatever happened to a "practicing politician" was what he deserved.

[sonias]

3. "Criticism of a practicing politician"

Especially of the Texas Republican kind!

:hi: Hobbit!

Sonia

[X_Digger]

4. Ehn.. wouldn't have stopped this guy.. on the steps. n/t